An overview of congenital toxoplasmosis : clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Abstract EN

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoan disease results from infection with Toxoplasma gondii, one of the worldwide zoological and geographical distribution.

T.

gondii multiples sexually in the cat family (definitive host) and infects all warm-blooded animals, including humans (intermediate host) where it multiplies asexually.

Transmission occurs by ingestion of raw or partly cooked meat, especially pork, lamb, or venison containing cysts, mainly in countries where undercooked meat is traditionally eaten.

Also, cysts may also be ingested during handto-mouth contact after handling undercooked meat, or from using knives, utensils, or cutting boards contaminated by raw meat.

Drinking water contaminated with Toxoplasma cysts.

Also, receiving an infected organ transplantation or blood transfusion, or nosocomial (needle-stick injury) was reported.

Ingestion of oocysts dropped with cat feces, through hand-to-mouth contact after gardening, cleaning a cat's litter box, contact with children's sandpits, or touching anything that came into contact with cat feces.

Also, congenital toxoplasmosis or mother-to-child transmission do occurs during pregnancy.

For infants born to infected mothers and for people with weakened immune systems, toxoplasmosis may cause serious complications.The clinical features, diagnosis and prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis in infants and children are reviewed here